A half-hour general strike was held here this morning to protest the rioting yesterday by British officers and troops of the Sixth Airborne Division, which left the main business section a shambles.

The soldiers, of whom there were nearly 100, climaxed their Boxing Day (post Christmas holiday) celebration by invading the town in several military vehicles and running riot. The display windows of 55 shops were smashed and many cafes and houses were damaged. Bombs were flung into the streets and automatics were fired into the air in Wild West fashion.

When the violence had subsided, the troops retreated to the military cars which had been waiting for them, indicating that the attack was planned in advance and not spontaneous. They left behind them many wounded Jews including several who had been struck by bomb splinters and others who were beaten. One youth was hospitalized with several broken ribs after a beating.

The mayor of Nathanya, Oved Ben Ami, met with the British district commissioner, who expressed regret for the outbreaks and promised a thorough investigation. A delegation of the victims called on Ben Ami and urged him to demand that the government end the current series of outbreaks by troops.

Jerusalem, which was the scene of minor rioting on Christmas, also witnessed many incidents yesterday and disturbances are reported to have occurred in Haifa and elsewhere. As a result most Jews have taken to remaining at home after dark, leaving the streets to the soldiers.